Reasonable daily food budget for 4 adults?
Mar 16th, 2015, 11:34 AM
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Reasonable daily food budget for 4 adults?
Hello,
We are spending 4 nights in Sorrento, followed by 4 nights in Rome this summer--family of 4 adults (basically, parents with 16 and 23 year old)
Obviously, we have the "free"
breakfast with our lodging situations, but what is reasonable to expect to round out our daily meals/snacks each day? We are not trying to budget like it's the great depression, but we also aren't looking for 4-star meals every night, either. So, based on that, can you give me a ballpark figure--assuming we can go "on the cheap" at lunch time and get something more substantial in the evening?
Thanks for your best ball park range estimates...
We are spending 4 nights in Sorrento, followed by 4 nights in Rome this summer--family of 4 adults (basically, parents with 16 and 23 year old)
Obviously, we have the "free"
breakfast with our lodging situations, but what is reasonable to expect to round out our daily meals/snacks each day? We are not trying to budget like it's the great depression, but we also aren't looking for 4-star meals every night, either. So, based on that, can you give me a ballpark figure--assuming we can go "on the cheap" at lunch time and get something more substantial in the evening?Thanks for your best ball park range estimates...
Mar 16th, 2015, 12:13 PM
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$25 a meal p.p. would be reasonable IME - could do cheaper - how about eating pizza for lunch - pizza take outs everywhere - sit down in a nice plaza like the Piazza Navona and people watch and ogle Bernini's famous fountain there.
Mar 16th, 2015, 12:38 PM
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I don't know how much you eat, but my husband and I, when we're in Rome, spend about €30-40 euros for a sit-down meal in a decent but modest restaurant. We usually have that meal at midday, and something lighter for supper.
We usually share some courses; we might order two first courses (primi) or one primo and one antipasto. Then we order one second course (secondo) and one vegetable side dish (contorno) and split those. We also mostly drink mineral water. I sometimes have a glass of wine, but my husband is a teetotaler. (You'd be surprised how many Italians are.)
For the lighter meal, we might get pizza, but even that is often too much for us in the evening. A single-serving pizza costs from €6 to €15 depending on the toppings. The classic pizza Margherita (tomato and mozzarella) is on the cheaper end of the range. Sometimes we get a main dish salad (insalatone). Or we might just get a one-course meal.
A glass of beer or Coca-cola usually costs about €2.50. People often order these to accompany pizza.
In Italy, bread brought to your table isn't free. In Sorrento, there may be a charge for "pane e coperto", which is bread and cover, where "cover" means the table covering and silverware. Since the bread part isn't broken out separately, there may be no way to avoid paying for the bread. In Rome, it's no longer allowed to charge for coperto, so if you don't want the bread, tell the waiter so before he walks away. Once he leaves it there, it's yours.
Be careful to see the prices of anything, including water, that you order. Don't let the waiter suggest that he could bring you something to snack on while you're waiting to order. Sometimes these little things cost a lot. You should even make sure you see the price of the mineral water before you accept it. It's your right to know the price of what you're buying. I always order strictly from the menu when I'm in Rome.
Another thing to be careful of is that certain things, especially whole fish and steaks, are sold by weight. The price is usually indicated as €xx /hg, where hg is a hectogram, about 1/4 of a pound. In order to know what the fish (or the steak) will cost, you have to ask the average weight of the fish, and how many people it will serve. The weight is before they clean the fish, and some fish have more waste than others. I stay away from steak in Rome; it tends to be tough and overdone.
All restaurants have a menu posted outside, so you can check the prices. Primi can run from €8 to €12 in the modest but decent restaurants we frequent, while secondi can be from €10 to €18. A contorno should be about €5, and one will almost always serve two people.
With four people, you could usually get away with ordering two or three primi, two or three secondi, and two contorni.
There are many ways you can cut these food costs. You can eat pizza by the slice, or panini, for some of your meals. Bars usually serve simple plates, such as salads, sandwiches, or pizza slices. They charge extra to sit at a table, but it will still be cheaper than a restaurant. The prices, both for eating standing at the bar and for sitting at a table have to be displayed near the cash register. Usually you pay at the register and then the bar server gets you your food.
There are also some self-service cafeteria-style places in Rome. Im Termini station, there's a big one on the second level, but it's often totally overwhelmed at the height of the lunch hour. There's a smaller one alongside track 24. There are also a few Chef Express fast food places in the station.
We usually share some courses; we might order two first courses (primi) or one primo and one antipasto. Then we order one second course (secondo) and one vegetable side dish (contorno) and split those. We also mostly drink mineral water. I sometimes have a glass of wine, but my husband is a teetotaler. (You'd be surprised how many Italians are.)
For the lighter meal, we might get pizza, but even that is often too much for us in the evening. A single-serving pizza costs from €6 to €15 depending on the toppings. The classic pizza Margherita (tomato and mozzarella) is on the cheaper end of the range. Sometimes we get a main dish salad (insalatone). Or we might just get a one-course meal.
A glass of beer or Coca-cola usually costs about €2.50. People often order these to accompany pizza.
In Italy, bread brought to your table isn't free. In Sorrento, there may be a charge for "pane e coperto", which is bread and cover, where "cover" means the table covering and silverware. Since the bread part isn't broken out separately, there may be no way to avoid paying for the bread. In Rome, it's no longer allowed to charge for coperto, so if you don't want the bread, tell the waiter so before he walks away. Once he leaves it there, it's yours.
Be careful to see the prices of anything, including water, that you order. Don't let the waiter suggest that he could bring you something to snack on while you're waiting to order. Sometimes these little things cost a lot. You should even make sure you see the price of the mineral water before you accept it. It's your right to know the price of what you're buying. I always order strictly from the menu when I'm in Rome.
Another thing to be careful of is that certain things, especially whole fish and steaks, are sold by weight. The price is usually indicated as €xx /hg, where hg is a hectogram, about 1/4 of a pound. In order to know what the fish (or the steak) will cost, you have to ask the average weight of the fish, and how many people it will serve. The weight is before they clean the fish, and some fish have more waste than others. I stay away from steak in Rome; it tends to be tough and overdone.
All restaurants have a menu posted outside, so you can check the prices. Primi can run from €8 to €12 in the modest but decent restaurants we frequent, while secondi can be from €10 to €18. A contorno should be about €5, and one will almost always serve two people.
With four people, you could usually get away with ordering two or three primi, two or three secondi, and two contorni.
There are many ways you can cut these food costs. You can eat pizza by the slice, or panini, for some of your meals. Bars usually serve simple plates, such as salads, sandwiches, or pizza slices. They charge extra to sit at a table, but it will still be cheaper than a restaurant. The prices, both for eating standing at the bar and for sitting at a table have to be displayed near the cash register. Usually you pay at the register and then the bar server gets you your food.
There are also some self-service cafeteria-style places in Rome. Im Termini station, there's a big one on the second level, but it's often totally overwhelmed at the height of the lunch hour. There's a smaller one alongside track 24. There are also a few Chef Express fast food places in the station.
Mar 16th, 2015, 12:53 PM
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I meant 25 euros - well about the same now as dollars!
Those self-serve cafeterias in Termini station are great - down home Italian food at a great price - no waiters - no rush - great for cutting down costs and eating what most Italians eat - yeh pasta! But also salads and healthy foods. I always eat there at least once when in Rome and in Rome do as the Romans do!
Those self-serve cafeterias in Termini station are great - down home Italian food at a great price - no waiters - no rush - great for cutting down costs and eating what most Italians eat - yeh pasta! But also salads and healthy foods. I always eat there at least once when in Rome and in Rome do as the Romans do!
Mar 17th, 2015, 01:57 AM
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I've actually had mixed experiences with the self-service restaurant on the second level in Termini station, which is why I suggested not going there at the height of the noon rush. I might have added that I wouldn't go there near the end of their day, either, when the food is perhaps not at its peak.
Once when I was there at lunch time, one of the servers decided to speed things up by giving everyone the same thing: a plate with a bit of this and a bit of that. I had two nieces with me, and asked for the kiddy plate for them, but we all got the same thing anyway.
I actually prefer the one next to track 24, but it's small and sometimes you can't find a table.
Once when I was there at lunch time, one of the servers decided to speed things up by giving everyone the same thing: a plate with a bit of this and a bit of that. I had two nieces with me, and asked for the kiddy plate for them, but we all got the same thing anyway.
I actually prefer the one next to track 24, but it's small and sometimes you can't find a table.
Mar 17th, 2015, 09:08 AM
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I don;t see the gender of the 16 year old - but be aware that portions in Italy are substantially smaller than in the US - and if the kids is a big eater (my B could empty the fridge in about 3 hours) you may end up ordering more.
Also we don't like to do a big meal in the middle of the day - takes too much time from sightseeing and feel logy afterwards instead of energetic. So we tend to do a casuale cafe/trattoria (salad and pasta?) or sandwich shop - and then have a real dinner.
We also allow for having a drink (and often free munchies) about 5 pm in an outdoor cafe to watch the world go by and relax for a while before going back to the hotel to change for dinner.
Also be aware that sodas are very small and expensive - and you may get one ice cube - unless you head to Mickey D's. Much better for the "kids" to drink wine and water. And all should carry a small bottle of water to stay hydrated - you can refill in your hotel.
Typically we share only contorni (meant for 2 or 3 people) and desserts - since servings for other courses are not that large.
Also we don't like to do a big meal in the middle of the day - takes too much time from sightseeing and feel logy afterwards instead of energetic. So we tend to do a casuale cafe/trattoria (salad and pasta?) or sandwich shop - and then have a real dinner.
We also allow for having a drink (and often free munchies) about 5 pm in an outdoor cafe to watch the world go by and relax for a while before going back to the hotel to change for dinner.
Also be aware that sodas are very small and expensive - and you may get one ice cube - unless you head to Mickey D's. Much better for the "kids" to drink wine and water. And all should carry a small bottle of water to stay hydrated - you can refill in your hotel.
Typically we share only contorni (meant for 2 or 3 people) and desserts - since servings for other courses are not that large.
Mar 17th, 2015, 01:55 PM
#7
>>>I've actually had mixed experiences with the self-service restaurant on the second level in Termini station<<<
It's an Autogrill, some are better than others.
There's also a grocery in Termini where you can buy lots of ready made items.
http://www.romatermini.com/en/store/...aporidintorni1
I find if you venture off the main tourist areas, prices are a bit cheaper. Often the hotels in Sorrento have quite good food. Where are you staying?
It's an Autogrill, some are better than others.
There's also a grocery in Termini where you can buy lots of ready made items.
http://www.romatermini.com/en/store/...aporidintorni1
I find if you venture off the main tourist areas, prices are a bit cheaper. Often the hotels in Sorrento have quite good food. Where are you staying?
Mar 17th, 2015, 02:25 PM
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Sodas are not small and expensive in Italy unless you are accustomed to buying your kids "Big Gulp" twenty-ounce tubs of soda, or getting endless refills somewhere in chain restaurants.
Here is the menu of a trattoria in Rome. You can see the prices -- including the prices of a soft drink (It's 2 euros for a glass of soda). I'm not recommending this place -- just showing you the menu.
http://www.trattoriasaporidicasa.it/...i=MenuCompleto
If you want someplace more upscale and closer to the tourist sights, you will more typcially pay these prices (again, just showing you a menu of a place near the Colosseum). Click the arrows on the picture
http://www.latavernadeiforiimperiali.com/english.htm
You say your budget is not "depression-era" so I hope you will not feel a need to eat in train station cafeterias. If looking at the prices on that menu makes you blanch, then I suggest you do some online searches for "eat cheaply and well in Rome" and "budget restaurants in Rome". Do likewise for Sorrento, where prices will be comparable to Rome.
Italy has one of the best cuisines in Europe which is still very, very much tied to local traditions and history, even in many tourist cities like Sorrento. There would be no Sorrento were it not for its fabulous climate that produces extraordinary lemons and other fruits and vegetables, and the bounty of the sea. It also has a pizza tradtion to rival Naples, as does Rome. The Romans have a long tradition of eating gnochhi on Thursdays (not to be missed) and they also have a real love for their vegetable markets, and there are many restaurants that serve excellent vegetable buffets at lunchtime that are not expensive and worth trying out. Try doing some google searches for "buffet lunch Rome" and you'll probably come up with good info. (If I get a chance, I'll post something here).
People have made a fetish of going to Italy and being food tourists and I'm not suggesting you do that. But there is wholesome food in the trattorie that is well priced, and the Autogrills in the train station and chain restaurants are to be avoided in my view.
Here is the menu of a trattoria in Rome. You can see the prices -- including the prices of a soft drink (It's 2 euros for a glass of soda). I'm not recommending this place -- just showing you the menu.
http://www.trattoriasaporidicasa.it/...i=MenuCompleto
If you want someplace more upscale and closer to the tourist sights, you will more typcially pay these prices (again, just showing you a menu of a place near the Colosseum). Click the arrows on the picture
http://www.latavernadeiforiimperiali.com/english.htm
You say your budget is not "depression-era" so I hope you will not feel a need to eat in train station cafeterias. If looking at the prices on that menu makes you blanch, then I suggest you do some online searches for "eat cheaply and well in Rome" and "budget restaurants in Rome". Do likewise for Sorrento, where prices will be comparable to Rome.
Italy has one of the best cuisines in Europe which is still very, very much tied to local traditions and history, even in many tourist cities like Sorrento. There would be no Sorrento were it not for its fabulous climate that produces extraordinary lemons and other fruits and vegetables, and the bounty of the sea. It also has a pizza tradtion to rival Naples, as does Rome. The Romans have a long tradition of eating gnochhi on Thursdays (not to be missed) and they also have a real love for their vegetable markets, and there are many restaurants that serve excellent vegetable buffets at lunchtime that are not expensive and worth trying out. Try doing some google searches for "buffet lunch Rome" and you'll probably come up with good info. (If I get a chance, I'll post something here).
People have made a fetish of going to Italy and being food tourists and I'm not suggesting you do that. But there is wholesome food in the trattorie that is well priced, and the Autogrills in the train station and chain restaurants are to be avoided in my view.
Mar 17th, 2015, 02:36 PM
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This is actually not a bad list of attractively priced destinations for food in Rome. I would add Hostaria Nerone to the list (near the Colosseum -- you can easily find the address on the web) and Sorpasso near the Vatican (ditto about the address)
http://www.www.inromenow.com/site%20...RestBudget.htm
http://www.www.inromenow.com/site%20...RestBudget.htm
Mar 18th, 2015, 08:23 AM
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You say your budget is not "depression-era" so I hope you will not feel a need to eat in train station cafeterias.>
these cafeterias are not like you make out - one is a regular restaurant type setting and uniquely has a part of the ancient Roman walls right in its dining room - now that is atmosphere.
these cafeterias are not like you make out - one is a regular restaurant type setting and uniquely has a part of the ancient Roman walls right in its dining room - now that is atmosphere.
Mar 18th, 2015, 08:52 AM
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Thank you all for some very good ideas and resources!!
I guess I was kind of hoping for the lazy way out to see if any of you had good daily $$ food budget ranges to expect in a "ballpark" sense. But I guess I can do the same by reviewing some of the menus you've posted and doing some calculating--then adding 20 percent more
Thanks again, all! Really appreciate it!
I guess I was kind of hoping for the lazy way out to see if any of you had good daily $$ food budget ranges to expect in a "ballpark" sense. But I guess I can do the same by reviewing some of the menus you've posted and doing some calculating--then adding 20 percent more
Thanks again, all! Really appreciate it!
Mar 18th, 2015, 09:21 AM
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PalenQ,
I am not concerned about the "atmosphere" or a restaurant "setting". A huge amount of the food available in modestly priced Roman trattorie is market-bought that morning or handmade, including pastas. The food in train stations is shipped in from industrialized distribution centers. Italy is one of the very few modern developed countries to preserve its high quality food traditions even in its biggest, busiest cities. I strongly recommend to everybody to seek that food out. It is very affordable, it is totally delicious, it is a very important part of italian culture, and it is good for your health.
I am not concerned about the "atmosphere" or a restaurant "setting". A huge amount of the food available in modestly priced Roman trattorie is market-bought that morning or handmade, including pastas. The food in train stations is shipped in from industrialized distribution centers. Italy is one of the very few modern developed countries to preserve its high quality food traditions even in its biggest, busiest cities. I strongly recommend to everybody to seek that food out. It is very affordable, it is totally delicious, it is a very important part of italian culture, and it is good for your health.
Mar 18th, 2015, 09:56 AM
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Sorry - a basic soda in the US is 12 oz - while in europe you often get 8 oz - or even cans of 6 oz.
And 12 oz is no way a "big gulp" - just the normal. And yes, a lt of kids are used to large size drinks and free refills.
And 12 oz is no way a "big gulp" - just the normal. And yes, a lt of kids are used to large size drinks and free refills.
Mar 18th, 2015, 10:39 AM
#15
Sorpasso is great if you are in the area. It's sort of a wine bar, seemed to be mostlyyoungg professionals when I was there.
I spend a lot on food and wine (glutton), but I think looking at the menu for Taverna dei Forii Imperiali and then extrapolating for your family makes sense. If I were dining there with a husband and two late-teen/early-20s "kids," I would guess we would order a bottle of wine, a bottle of water, two antipasti, three or four primi and then maybe two secondi and perhaps a contorno or two. Less if you have a light eater in your party, someone who will be full after the pasta. So what would that be, around 120E all in? Then say about 45E total for the other light meal at lunch or dinner if your big meal is at lunch. 20E on gelato or some other goodie you grab during the day or late in the evening.
So maybe around 185-200E a day, more if people like to grab a drink. Less some days when no one feels like having another big meal (it does happen!).
But if this is too high for you, it is certainly easy to economize. As I said above, I'm pretty loosey goosey about the money I spend on meals when I travel--after all, I only have to pay for myself.
Have a fun trip!
I spend a lot on food and wine (glutton), but I think looking at the menu for Taverna dei Forii Imperiali and then extrapolating for your family makes sense. If I were dining there with a husband and two late-teen/early-20s "kids," I would guess we would order a bottle of wine, a bottle of water, two antipasti, three or four primi and then maybe two secondi and perhaps a contorno or two. Less if you have a light eater in your party, someone who will be full after the pasta. So what would that be, around 120E all in? Then say about 45E total for the other light meal at lunch or dinner if your big meal is at lunch. 20E on gelato or some other goodie you grab during the day or late in the evening.
So maybe around 185-200E a day, more if people like to grab a drink. Less some days when no one feels like having another big meal (it does happen!).
But if this is too high for you, it is certainly easy to economize. As I said above, I'm pretty loosey goosey about the money I spend on meals when I travel--after all, I only have to pay for myself.
Have a fun trip!
Mar 21st, 2015, 02:03 PM
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Sorrento is a very touristy town - with prices to match but your hotel is in a great location and walking distance to some good restaurants. I love In Bufalito, Bar Fauno and down on the water, Delfino. None of these are high end.
In Rome you can get some great food and not pay a fortune. Your hotel is near Termini so the suggestion for the buffet style restaurant would possibly work for you. One of my favourite places is Navona Notte which is a block away from Piazza Navona but has good food and prices. I think around 200 euro per day is probably reasonable although you can do it cheaper if you stick to pannini, pizza by the slice on the go and so on.
A great way to save money is to refill water bottles from the many public fountains (nasone) around Rome. They probably exist in Sorrento too but I haven't see any. The water is pure and cold and perfectly safe to drink. One of the most convenient nasone is around the corner from Piazza Campidoglio just before the stairs down to the Arch of Septimus Severus (the Roman Forum). If you've just had a long, dusty walk through the Forum, have exited nearby and have run out of water, this nasone is a welcome relief.
In Rome you can get some great food and not pay a fortune. Your hotel is near Termini so the suggestion for the buffet style restaurant would possibly work for you. One of my favourite places is Navona Notte which is a block away from Piazza Navona but has good food and prices. I think around 200 euro per day is probably reasonable although you can do it cheaper if you stick to pannini, pizza by the slice on the go and so on.
A great way to save money is to refill water bottles from the many public fountains (nasone) around Rome. They probably exist in Sorrento too but I haven't see any. The water is pure and cold and perfectly safe to drink. One of the most convenient nasone is around the corner from Piazza Campidoglio just before the stairs down to the Arch of Septimus Severus (the Roman Forum). If you've just had a long, dusty walk through the Forum, have exited nearby and have run out of water, this nasone is a welcome relief.
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